The 41st Annual Sleepy Eye Sportsmen’s Ice Fishing Derby began at noon, Sunday with hundreds of people spread across the lake. The exact count of fishing on the lake was unknown, but it was close to a club record. Roughly 300 fish houses dotted the lake near the registry site, though even more were on the opposite end.

The Sleepy Eye Ice Fishing tournament brings out anglers from all over the region. Families from Lafayette, Springfield and Morgan all had holes drilled and ready to fish by the noon start time.

Sleepy Eye Sportsmen’s Club president Lynn Krenz said last year set a record for derby attendance and he suspected they had close to the same numbers this year.

Conditions were nearly perfect for ice fishing on Sunday. The recent cold weather had created thicker ice across the lake. In some spots, the lake ice was 21 inches thick. Temperatures were also on the rise over the weekend. Temperatures were in the low 20s by the start of the tournament, with minimal wind.

Staff photos by Clay Schuldt Brynlee Portner of Lafayette holds a crappie caught during the Sleepy Eye Ice Fishing derby. Portner was one of the first to r

Going into the tournament, it was unknown if the fish would be biting, but the question was answered early. Within the first few minutes, over a dozen pan fish were registered, including crappies and sunnies.

The northern were also biting. Logan Hindermin of Sleepy Eye and Kyle Goblirch of New Ulm each registered a northern with the first 15 minutes of the contest.

The contest awarded three cash prizes in six categories; sunfish, crappie, perch, bass, walleye and northern. An overall prize was awarded for the largest fish caught. Results will be printed after they are received.